This paper reports the miniaturisation of sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using a meltextruded fluoropolymer MicroCapillary Film (MCF). A prototype 8-channel*10-microcapillaries device was used for quantitative detection a range of human biomarkers in 30 mm long fluoropolymer MCF strips. This represents a novel combination of ultra-low cost plastic microfluidic strips, low-cost optical detection, short incubation times, pre-loaded reagents and sequential fluid aspiration based on disposable plastic syringes. The observed limit of detection (LOD) was ∼lng/ml for PSA, and 10-60pg/ml for IL-lbeta, IL-6 and IL-12 inflammatory cytokines, typically with CVs ≤ 10% which is comparable with performance of optimised colorimetric microwell-based ELISA.

Description:

This is the accepted manuscript version. The definitive published version is available at: www.rsc.org/images/loc/2013/PDFs/Papers/329_0299.pdf

Sponsor:

The authors are gratefully to BBSRC, Melina Gates Foundation and Erasmus program for financial support. We are
also grateful to Patrick Hester from Lamina Dieletrics Ltd for supplying the fluoropolymer MCF to specifications.